WATCH: Indiana Center Kel'el Ware's Workout Video, Interview With Draft Express
After deciding to transfer from Oregon to Indiana, Kel'el Ware has been busy developing his game this offseason.
The 7-footer said he's been in Los Angeles for almost a month now, and he met with ESPN's NBA Draft analyst Jonathan Givony to discuss his progress and look ahead to his first year at Indiana. Ware has been training at Pro Active Sports Performance, a place many NBA and NFL athletes go during the offseason.
"I've been here expanding my game," Ware told Givony. "Working on my 3-pointers, and just trying to get stronger."
Here's the full interview, plus highlights from Ware's workouts.
Ware spent his freshman year at Oregon, where he had a number of impressive performances in non-conference play. He scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds against UConn, the eventual national champions. One game later, he racked up 17 points and nine rebounds against Michigan State, then finished the PK85 Invitational with a 13-point, seven-rebound effort against Villanova.
But after a strong start, Ware's playing time decreased as Oregon coach Dana Altman opted to play senior center N'Faly Dante (13.4 ppg, 8.4 rpg) and sophomore Nathan Bittle (7.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg) more minutes. Ware finished his freshman year averaging 6.6 points and 4.1 rebounds, then decided to enter the transfer portal.
Despite an underwhelming freshman season for the top-10 recruit, Ware was one of the most highly-coveted transfers this offseason. A 7-footer with 3-point range, he represents a huge recruiting win for Mike Woodson and the Indiana staff.
"[Woodson] has an NBA background, played in the NBA, coached in the NBA," Ware told Givony. "So I can just learn from him and soak in everything he has."
Ware, a 2022 McDonald's All-American, is ranked the No. 2 transfer by 247Sports, only behind ex-Michigan center Hunter Dickinson, who's transferring to Kansas. Some thought Ware could still declare for the 2023 NBA Draft even after his freshman year at Oregon, but he told Givony that another year in college to develop his body would be beneficial.
And following an offseason of hard work, Ware is excited to join the Hoosiers.
"I feel like next year, my role is going to be way bigger than what it was at Oregon," Ware told Givony. "So I'm excited for that change."
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